Quick Takeaways
> Facial aging develops gradually across skin, fat, and bone — leading to wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging over time.
> Bone resorption beneath the eyes, cheeks, and jawline contributes to hollowing and loss of youthful structure.
> Wave Plastic Surgery restores balance at every layer with tailored non-surgical (like Ultherapy, Morpheus8) and surgical options (such as Facelift and Chin Augmentation).
> Preventive care — including sun protection, nutrition, and collagen-building treatments — helps maintain natural firmness and slow visible aging.
What Are the Common Signs of Facial Aging?
1) Wrinkles and Fine Lines (Surface Changes)
Expression lines deepen as collagen and elastin decline. Typical patterns include crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, nasolabial folds (nose to mouth), and marionette lines (mouth to chin). Early on, these are “dynamic” (seen only with movement). Over time, they become “static,” remaining visible at rest as skin thins and loses recoil.
- Helpful options: targeted neuromodulators and collagen-stimulating treatments such as Morpheus8 RF microneedling, InMode RF skin tightening, and Ultherapy.
2) Loss of Elasticity and Firmness
Collagen and elastin production falls with age, making skin thinner and less resilient. You may notice droopy eyelids, softer cheeks, and laxity along the jawline and neck. Peer-reviewed research confirms intrinsic and extrinsic aging mechanisms that degrade dermal structure over time (PubMed).
- Helpful options: energy-based tightening (RF/ultrasound), fractional lasers, medical-grade skincare, and—when laxity is advanced—surgery.
3) Volume Loss and Descent (Framework Changes)
With age, fat pads deflate and descend. Cheeks flatten, tear troughs deepen, temples hollow, and lower-face heaviness appears as tissues settle downward. Carefully placed fillers (e.g., Juvéderm or Radiesse) or fat grafting can restore balance—while respecting natural proportions. For some, buccal fat removal refines fullness to improve contour.
4) Texture, Tone, and Pigment (Finish)
Slower cell turnover and cumulative sun exposure cause dryness, roughness, sunspots, enlarged pores, and dullness. These early signs often respond well to resurfacing and prescription-grade topicals.
- See real-patient improvements in our Non-Surgical Before & After Gallery.
Get Your Consultation Today
Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgery experts at Wave Plastic Surgery to learn more about anti-aging procedures that fit your needs.
The Overlooked Driver: Facial Bone Loss
One reason “skin-only” approaches plateau is that aging also changes the facial skeleton. Multiple studies show age-related bone resorption—especially around the orbital rims, midface, maxilla, jaw, and chin—which subtly widens eye sockets, rotates cheekbones downward/inward, and reduces jaw/chin projection. The result: less scaffolding to support soft tissue, so folds deepen and contours blur.
- Evidence base: comprehensive reviews of skeletal remodeling in facial aging (NIH/PMC review; PubMed).
Why this matters: If the foundation has changed, surface fixes alone won’t restore youthful geometry. That’s why Wave pairs soft-tissue repositioning and skin quality work with structural enhancements—fat grafting, chin augmentation, or jaw surgery—when appropriate.
Expert Perspective:
“True, lasting rejuvenation is layered. We restore support (bone/fat), redrape and secure the deeper planes, and then refine skin quality—so everything reads as naturally youthful.”
When Signs Typically Appear (and What Helps)
40s: Midface flattening, more visible folds, and the start of jowling.
- Focus: combination therapy—Morpheus8, targeted fillers or fat grafting, and, for some, early surgical options such as a mini facelift within our facelift (rhytidectomy) program.
50s+: Acceleration of bone/fat loss; neck bands and skin redundancy become prominent.
• Focus: comprehensive facelift + neck lift with selective volume restoration; eyelid or brow procedures when needed; ongoing skin maintenance.
How to Slow Visible Aging (Evidence-Informed)
- Daily Sun Protection
UV radiation drives the majority of premature aging. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, reapply outdoors, and add hats/sunglasses. This one habit preserves collagen and stabilizes pigment more than any single serum.
- Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress
A diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, 7–8 hours of sleep, regular exercise, and stress management support collagen homeostasis and recovery capacity.
- Science-Backed Skincare
Retinoids increase cell turnover; vitamin C brightens and protects; niacinamide/peptides strengthen the barrier; hyaluronic acid hydrates. Skincare works best as an everyday “maintenance plan” alongside periodic in-office treatments.
See subtle-to-significant improvements in our Non-Surgical Gallery.
Wave’s Layered Rejuvenation: From Foundation to Finish
We plan treatment like architects: evaluate the foundation, adjust the framework, and perfect the finish—so results age gracefully.
Structural & Lifting Procedures
- Facelift (Rhytidectomy) and Precision Lift: re-suspend deep facial planes (SMAS/platysma) to restore cheek and jawline definition with longevity.
- Neck Lift: treats platysmal banding, submental fullness, and skin redundancy for a sharp cervicomental angle.
- Eyelid & Brow Rejuvenation (performed as part of individualized plans; see our facial contouring hub): opens the eyes and softens heavy brows for a rested look—discover surgical options under Face Contouring.
- Volumization & Balance: Fat grafting, chin augmentation, and jaw surgery restore projection and correct skeletal under-support that fillers alone cannot fix. Refinement & Maintenance
- Energy devices (RF/ultrasound) to tighten and stimulate dermis
- Injectables for strategic contouring or line softening
- Skincare & resurfacing to smooth texture and even tone
Explore surgical results in our Facial Before & After Gallery.
What Makes Results Look “Natural”?
Natural results come from respecting proportions and vectors of lift. Rather than pulling skin tight, we:
- Re-establish support by repositioning deep tissues and restoring volume where it’s truly lost.
- Blend transitions (cheek to lid, jowl to jaw) so light reflects smoothly.
- Personalize technique to each face—our surgeons have deep experience in both Asian and Western aesthetics, which informs subtle, culturally attuned outcomes.
Your Pathway: From Education to Action
- Learn & Assess – Use this guide to identify your primary concerns.
- See Real Results – Browse our Face Gallery and Non-Surgical Gallery for transformations similar to yours.
- Consult & Plan – Meet with a Wave surgeon for a 3D analysis and tailored plan that may include facelift, neck lift, volume restoration, and/or Ultherapy/Morpheus8 maintenance.
- Optimize Timing & Value – Check Current Specials and plan around life events for minimal downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—consistent SPF, healthy lifestyle, science-backed skincare, and periodic collagen-building treatments significantly slow visible aging. See non-surgical outcomes in our gallery.
When laxity and descent outpace what energy devices and fillers can reasonably correct. Many patients benefit from a tailored facelift with or without a neck lift, then maintain results with non-surgical care.
Ready to Transform?
Your most natural-looking rejuvenation starts with a precise diagnosis and a plan that treats the right layer at the right time. Meet with Wave’s surgical team to map your path from prevention to transformation.
